Brandeis-O'Connor game under review after wild final seconds

O'Connor beat Brandeis 30-28 on last second field goal in key NISD game

SAN ANTONIO - Friday’s thrilling O’Connor-Brandeis football game lived up to expectations as the Panthers defeated the Broncos on a last-second field goal, but Broncos fans were less than thrilled about the way the final seconds of the game were officiated.

Fans in the Brandeis community asked for an explanation to the ending on social media moments after O’Connor won the game 30-28.

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KSAT contacted the Texas Association of Sports Officials and the Northside Independent School District to seek clarification.

NISD Athletic Director Stan Laing told KSAT the district does not comment on officiating, but commended both fan bases for the atmosphere and environment at Farris Stadium.

The game between the neighborhood rivals had been sold out for days, with fans lined up around the stadium hours before kickoff and even during the game.

TASO Executive Director Bill Theodore told KSAT an official incident report in regard to officiating needed to be filed by a school through the University Interscholastic League website (UIL), but none had been filed by Brandeis as of Tuesday morning.

Theodore then referred KSAT to the San Antonio chapter of officials.

Charlie Wernette, president of the local chapter, said the game is under review and the standard process is for a film committee to review any video submitted to the chapter.

The committee will then issue a statement on the ruling to the coaches.

The play in question came immediately before the game-winning field goal.

With two seconds remaining in the game, O’Connor snapped the ball, which was fumbled and recovered by Brandeis.

However, an official blew his whistle and the play was ruled dead as the Broncos and Brandeis fans celebrated.

Officials ruled that O’Connor had illegally snapped the ball on the play, deeming the play dead before the ball was ever fumbled.

Officials marked off the the 5-yard penalty, and the Panthers hit the game-winning field goal.

The other call in question was an O’Connor false start that came earlier on the final possession with less than 10 seconds remaining.

Theodore confirmed to KSAT there is no 10-second runoff of the clock in Texas high school football, and the yardage was enforced correctly against O’Connor.

O'Connor remained unbeaten with the the win and plays Marshall on Friday.

Brandeis remains in strong playoff contention and will play Holmes on Thursday.